The SBU has announced the arrest of a former commander of a territorial defence brigade in the Kyiv region and three other individuals in connection with the embezzlement of over 12 million hryvnias during the procurement of 580 FPV drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The drones were intended for troops in the Kharkiv sector, but, according to the agency, none of them ever reached the army.
Briefly about the main points
- The former commander of the TrO brigade and three other suspects were arrested in connection with the case.
- The SBU states that the entire consignment of drones did not reach the armed forces.
- The investigators consider the supply contracts to be fictitious.
- According to the investigation, the documents relating to the handover of the UAVs to the military were forged.
- The former commander has been charged; the investigation is ongoing.
How, according to the investigation, the non-existent delivery was documented
Law enforcement officials believe that the supply contracts were fictitious and that the documents were drawn up to make it appear as though the UAVs had been handed over to the military. According to the SBU, a former official submitted forged handover certificates for signature.
During the inspection, he allegedly demanded that the absence of the drones be concealed and that they be recorded as property lost on the battlefield. The SBU’s Department of Military Counter-Intelligence and the Department for the Protection of National Statehood have been involved in the investigation.
Suspicion and subsequent investigation
The former commander was informed that he was under suspicion of Part 2 of Article 114-1 of the Criminal Code — obstructing the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine or other military formations, resulting in serious consequences. The penalty under this provision is imprisonment for a term of between eight and 15 years.
He has been relieved of his post. The Office of the Prosecutor General is overseeing the proceedings. The investigation is ongoing, and only a court can determine the suspect’s guilt.
